State Police concludes “Operation Carpe Diem”

December 23, 2013

NEW ORLEANS – “An overwhelming success” is what State Police commanders are calling the final results of a 7 week, statewide intensive enforcement effort that has resulted in more than 1,000 criminal arrests, the seizure of more than $6 million in illegal drugs, recovery of over 100 illegal weapons and over 600 fugitive charges. A specially trained team of 160 troopers were deployed across the state beginning in late October targeting specific highways and problem areas identified by Louisiana’s Fusion Center and focusing on a wide range of criminal activities cited by local sheriffs and chiefs as being high priority in their respective jurisdictions. The program, designated Carpe Diem, concluded earlier last week.

“Only through the collaborative effort between the various sections of Louisiana State Police and all partnering law enforcement agencies was Operation Carpe Diem such an overwhelming success,” stated Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “This is yet another great example of what law enforcement can accomplish when we unite for a common purpose. Louisiana State Police will continue to develop strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies across the state in the on-going effort to locate and arrest those individuals who choose to endanger the safety of our citizens.”

“We make it our business to maintain Federal, State and local law enforcement partnerships because our top priority is always to keep our citizens safe,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “The Louisiana State Police is an excellent partner in the region and to the City from the ongoing support during major and special events, as well as the recent success of Operation Carpe Diem.”

The campaign was made possible by shifting personnel around the state from a variety of regular duties and reassigning them temporarily to the operation. Those officers have now returned to critical positions within the agency. Funding from the Commission on Law Enforcement was also instrumental in underwriting some of the overtime costs associated with the campaign.

In addition to concentrated enforcement efforts statewide, Troopers focused patrols throughout the Greater New Orleans Area targeting designated high crime regions and yielding community improving results:

$3,444,693 in Narcotics Seized

$94,617 in Suspected Drug Currency Seized

$175,718 in Seized and Recovered Stolen Property

41 Fugitive Arrests

32 Illegally Possessed Weapons Seized

Throughout the nearly two month operation, Troopers from various sections of the Department of Public Safety, including Patrol, Detectives, Special Crimes, Narcotics, Intelligence, Motor Carrier Safety, Air Support, SWAT and DPS Police, were assigned to teams utilizing the experience and specialized training of the department’s members while working closely with local and federal partners. Arrests varied from illegal narcotics trafficking, illegal weapons violations, theft, fugitive warrants, human trafficking, juvenile pornography, and sex offender violations.